‘The Lords’ spokesperson for the ministry of justice has condemned “ill-informed” media attacks on judges, as political pressure mounts for Liz Truss to speak out more clearly in defence of judicial independence.’

‘Authorities in several towns in France have controversially banned ‘burkinis’ – a form of swimwear popular with Muslim women – in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the country. Is banning burkinis necessary to prevent public disorder or does it go too far and violate the right to freedom of religion?’

‘In this third article Declan O’Dempsey looks at the concept of “British Values” in the context of the Prevent Duty. It appears in the definition of “extremism” in the Guidance. British values are mentioned in the Guidance. However only examples are given of what constitute British values. In a post Brexit discussion these values have taken on a more important aspect. To what extent is tolerance a British Value?’

‘In his fourth article on Prevent Duty Declan O’Dempsey looks at the similarities between the Prevent Duty to have due regard and consider what the practical application of that duty to have due regard will look like in the light of the existing body of case law on the analogous s 149 of the Equality Act 2010.’

‘Think carefully before you pack your holiday reading. As The Independent reported earlier this week, Faizah Shaheen was detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act last month after cabin crew on her Thomson Airways flight spotted her reading a book about Syria.’

‘In this article I deal with the basics of the legal framework for the Prevent Duty. The simplest way of thinking about the Prevent Duty is visualisation. Imagining that you are the character at which Dirty Harry is pointing his gun in that film while uttering the words: “You’ve got to ask yourself one question: “do I feel lucky?”… Well do you punk?” The government has attempted to shift the publicity and legal risks from itself to the universities by use of the Prevent Duty. On the face of it universities have a dilemma: how to have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism, whilst taking all reasonably practicable steps to ensure free speech and academic freedom.’